Loading apparatus for tunnel work



0ct. 6, 1959 J. D. RUSSELL 2,907,481

LOADING APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL WORK "I Original Filed Aug. 4, 1952 9Sheets-Sheet'l 1 N 0 w w w w w www www www v www )o o Q www www Svwww tMM n lf LJ 1 I I e a Illf a .f 1J I Il D l r/H l f 1r Q\ 1 hlm. 1#Ill/fwn .wf/ll u s QI IIII m www w`ww, w, U Q I ww n. w Ow www www ww@i .I i w www w J w w. www www ww www @www www w n wwwwwwww wmwww E .NNn :Ih U n m/ u f I www www wxwww mw o l www s.. o o o ww www www z ww nw www w www` www/W w www w www ww .w www wwwo wwwwmwwwwww wwwww wwwuwwwwwww. ww MQ m NwN www www www ww,w www I www www www www www www wwwwww www ww www www www www.. www ww ww www G Q A 4 I I f f .r II r. Iwww ww ,I IIII I I I ww Iwwwl ww .IIIIIII ww www www wlwm www wkwI\ MI dwunIILgywIINII mk N w F I o my .s I 4 n I I I I ...f ww I H ww w www uw. w www ww www ww www www ww www MN NNN l www www www www www www J. D.RUSSELL LOADING APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL WORK Original Filed Aug. 4, 1952Oct. 6, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvENToR; JOHN D. RUSSELL A'rToRNEY v Oct.6, 1959 J. D. RUSSELL LOADING APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL WORK Original FiledAug. 4, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 MNC ,Q I :95 Sw s r. A s T Oct. 6, 1959 J.D. RUSSELL h 2,907,481

` LOADING APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL woRx Original Filed Aug. 4, 1952 9Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 8.

MINIMA lllhlunpll 35 lh "Ill um lumi` v mvEN-ron:

JOHN D. RUSSELL ATTORNEY 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 J. D. RUSSELL LOADINGAPPARATUS FOR TUNNEL WORK Original Filed Aug. 4. 1952 Oct. 6, 1959mvenToR: JOHN D. RUSSELL BY Q.

ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1959 J, D. RUSSELL 2,907,481

LOADING APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL WORK Original Filed Aug. 4, 1952 9Sheets-Sheet 6 mvENroR: JOHN D. RUSSELL y MW ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1959 J. D.RUSSELL LOADING `APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL woRK 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 OriginalFiled Aug. 4, 1952 INVENTORZ JOHN D. RUSSELL BY www ATTORNEY Oct. 6,y1959 J. D. RUSSELL 2,907,481

LOADING APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL WORK i Origingl Filed Aug. 4, 1952 9Sheets-Sheet 8 mvENToR: JOHN D. RUSSELL MMI-@7,756

ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1959 .1.13. RUSSELL 2,907,481

LOADING-APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL WORK improved tunneling apparatus.

LOADING APPARATUS FOR TUNNEL WORK John D. Russell, Bradford Woods, Pa.,assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania io claims. (ci. 214-41) This invention relates to tunnelingapparatus and more particularly to loading apparatus especially designedfor use in tunnel Work for loading out the dislodged rock or muck.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial` No.302,527, tiledv August 4, 1952, now matured ini PatentNo. 2,796,969,dated June 25, 1957, and thepresent invention relates to improvementsover the structure claimed-in my copending application. Serial No.238,634, led July 26, 1951, now matured into Patent No. 2,796,999,`dated June 25, 1957.

An object of the present invention is to provide an Another object is toprovide an improved loading apparatusV especially designed for use intunnel work. A further object is to providean improved extensibleconveyor means for a mobile loading machine. These and other objects andadvantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appearin the course of the ensuing description. f In the accompanying drawingsthere is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the inventionmay assume in practice.

l In these drawings: j

Figs. 1 and 1a, taken together, constitute a plan view of the improvedtunneling apparatus, with the rearward portionfof the mobile trackwayand conveyor mechanism broken away.

Figs. 2 and'Za., taken together, constitute a side elevational view ofthe apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and la.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2,showing details of the extensible conveyor.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged `horizontal section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2,with parts shown in full. i

Fig. 5Y is a longitudinal vertical section, `with parts shown in full,taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, showing the loading machine traveling overthe floor or groung.

2,907,481 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 ice , of theloadiing machine, with partsbroken away to illus- Fig. 6 is a detail cross sectional view taken online traveling `along the rails of a trackway.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged central longitudinal vertical section on line 9--9of Fig. 4, with the machine supported by the track-engaging wheels.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken on line 10-10 of Fig.9, withthe machine supported by the track-engaging wheels.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line11-11 of Fig. 1, showing a portion of the drill mounting on the loadingmachine. l

Fig. 12 is a detail section throughan adjusting screw for the headframe. a

Fig. 13 is a detail .yiew taken" on line 13-13 of-Fig. 2, showing `aportion of the extensible draft gear or tow bar.

Fig. 14 is a detailvertical section taken on line 14-,1

vof Fig. 13, showing the tow-bar-latch. Y j i a.

Fig. 15 is a detail plan view of the'front gathering head trate detailsof the front conveyor structure.

Fig. 16 isV an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line'16-164 ofFig. 15.

fFig. 17 is an enlarged central longitudinal vertical section taken online 17-17 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail view showing a portion of the adjustingmeans for the front conveyor-belt-pulley for varying the alignment ofthe latter with the belt.

Fig. 19 is a detail vertical section taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 18. j

Fig. 20 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line Ztl- 20 ofFig. 2, illustrating a portion of the drill adjusting mechanism.`

Fig. `21 isian enlarged detail vertical section taken on line 21-21 ofFig. 20.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail vertical section taken on line 22--22 ofFig. 20.

Fig. 23 `is an enlarged fragmentary `vertical section taken on line23-23 of Fig. 1, showing a portion of the drill carriage and anassociated guide bar.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken on line 24--24 of Fig.2a, showing details ofthe mobile trackway and associated conveyormechanism.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the forwardportion of the loading machine with the dr-ills in their forwardoperating position on the machine.

Fig. ,26 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 26-26 of Fig. 25,showing a drill guide bar, guide roller and clamp.

Fig. 27 is a schematic side view showing the tunneling apparatus inoperating position in the tunnel, with the loading machine retractedfrom the tunnel face.`

Fig. 28 is a View similar to Fig. 27, showing the mobile trackway andramp, with the haulage cars moving between the main tunnel trackway andthe mobile trackway.

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 27 with the loading machine inoperating position at the face, with the loose rock or muck loaded out.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, as disclosed in thedrawings, the improved tunneling apparatus is adapted for use inaccordance with an improved high speed drifting system to be later madeapparent, and generally comprises a mobile loading machine generallydesignated 1 flexibly connected by extensible draft gear 2 to a mobiletrackway generally designated 3, a conveyor mechanism generallydesignated 4 carried by the mobile traclcway, and an extensibleintermediate conveyor generally designated 5 for receiving the materialdischarged'from the loading machine and for conveying the same to theconveyor mechanism 4. Carried by the loading machine is a battery ofdrills generally designated 6, and the mobile trackway has a detachablerear ramp or inclined track section 7 whereby a train of haulage or minecars S maytravel from a main tunnel trackway 9 laid on the tunnel flooronto the mobile trackway and vice versa, and the conveyor mechanism 4Vis adapted to discharge the material conveyedthereby into the cars ofthe train. The loading machine is adapted to travel along the maintunnel trackway 9 and to operate off from the `main tunnel trackwaydirectly on the tunnel iloor or ground in advance of the trackway, andthe draft gear 2 embodies an extensible draw or tow bar .10 forpermitting movement of the loading machine over the floor relative tothe mobile trackway 3 and for, at times, permitting towing of the mobiletrackway4 by the loading machine. The extensible intermediate conveyor 5may serve to -convey the material discharged from the loading machine tothe conveyor mechanism 4 on the mobile trackway.- The mobile trackway 3may be generally similar to that disclosed `in my copending applicationSerial No. 23 8,634, above referred to, and may comprise a series 0farticulated frame sections 15 loosely coupled together by conventionalcouplings 16 and carrying parallel track Vralls 17 desirably having thesame track gauge as the rails of.

the main tunnel trackway 9. The elongated frame secl trucks 15 haveshort track rail sections 2l which cooperate with the tracks 17 of theframe sections k15.

The haulage cars Sof the train are herein of a conventional design eachhaving a hopperlike body or muckreceiving receptacle 22 mounted onflanged wheels 23 adapted to travel along the rails of' themain trackwayand the mobile trackway and exibly coupled together by conventionalcouplings 24. Evidently, any suitable type of mine or'rnuck car mayy beemployed to haul the muck from tne tunnel face but the cars disclosedare desirably of the vso-called Granby type embodying automatic dumpingmechanism in a well-known manner. It is not desired to limit the presentinvention to any particular type of haulage car, however.

The elongated frame sections l of the mobile trackway 3 each carry apair of kvertical standards 26 one near each end thereof, and thestandards are rigidly braced by connecting members 27 and crossedturnbuckle tie rodsZS. vThese vertical standards are desirably ofgenerally C-shape, as shown in Fig. 24, and the conveyor mechanismd-iscarried by these vertical standards yin superimposedfrelation on themobile trackway. The conveyor mechanism 4 is herein made up of elongatedconveyor sections 29 extending -substantially coextensive with the framesections of the mobile trackway cumulatively valong the length of theylatter and the conveyor sections have overlapping ends arranged incascade relation so that the material may be conveyed progressively fromsection to section along the length of the conveyor mechanism. Bymounting the conveyor sections 29 respectively in superimposedrelationon the articulated frame sections 15 of the mobi-le trackway theconveyor mechanism may flex with the mobile trackway as the lattertravels over the main tunnel trackway, and each section of the conveyormechanism comprises an endless conveyor belt il() guided by pulleys aslater described and each section has its individual driving motor 32.The C-frames or standards 26 each comprises an adjustable upper portion26EL which has a vertical lower part in slidable telescopic engagementat 33 (Fig.v 24) with a vertical upper portion of the lower part 26h andwhich is held in adjusted position by a suitable clamp 34. Thus theconveyor sections may have individual limited vertical adjustmentrelative to the frame sections of the mobile trackway to vary theelevation of the conveyors of the conveyor mechanism.

While theconveyor mechanismfl is shown supported by 40 are pivotallyconnected to the main frame and to a forward projection 41 `(Fig. 4) ofthe swiveled frame 39, i-

for turning the steering wheels 36 horizontally in either direction. Thecrawler traction devices 37 comprise a frame 42 swiveled at 43 (Fig. 9)to turn about a vertical axis relative to the main frame, and tread sideframes 44 secured to the swiveled frame 42 provide guideways for endlesscrawler tread chains 45. Oppositely acting fluid cylinders46 (Fig. 4)are pivotally connected to the main frame and to a rearward projection47 secured to the swiveled frame 42 for turning the crawler tractiondevices horizontally in either of opposite directions.

The crawler tread chains 45 may be driven in unison by a motor 50,herein desirably an electric motor, mounted on the main frame 35 abovethe swivel for the rear steering wheels, as shownV at the left in Fig.5, and this motor has its power shaft connectedY through a conventionalspeed reducer 51 (Fig. 8) to a longitudinal shaft the C-frames 26 insuperimposed relation on the mobile l' blow referring to the detailstructure of the loading machme 1,*1t will be'noted that a-main frame 35is mounted on rear, steel-rimmed, steering wheels 36 and on frontsteering and crawler-traction devices 37. The wheels 36 are journaled onaxles 38 carried bya frame 39 swiveled at 39a to turn abo-ut a verticalaxis relative to the main machine frame 35. Oppositel'; acting fluidcylinders 52 suitably journaled in bearings carried: by the speed'reducer casing. A pulley and belt connection 53 connects the shaft SZ toa conventional fluid pump 54 for supplying uid under pressure toVcertain of the fluid operated devices of themachine as later explained.The shaft 52 is connected by a exible coupling 55 to a shaft 56 which isin-turn connected by a similar coupling 57 to a longitudinal shaft 58suitably journaledl in a gear housing 59carried by the main frame (Fig.9*). A spur gear 60 on this latter shaft meshes with and drivesl a spurgear 61 connectible by a conventional reversing friction clutch device62 alternatively tov coaxial shafts 63 and 64; pinions 65 and 66 meshingwith a large beveled gear 67 the latter keyed to the upper end of avertical shaft 68.

By properly operatingthe reversing clutch 62 the beveled pinions 65, 66may selectively drive the beveled gear 67 andvertical shaft `68 ineither of opposite directions. lConnected to the gear 66is aconventional brake 68a for braking the crawlerV devices 37. A worm 69 onthe vertical shaft 68 meshes with andv drives a worm wheel 70 (see alsoFig. 10), the latter being journaled in bearings supported within a gearhousing 71 Vcarried by the swiveled frame 42'. Thisworm wheely iscoupled by exible couplings 72 to aligned; oppositely extending shafts73, and these shafts at their remote'ends are coupled by similarflexible couplings 74 to coaxial shafts 75, the latter being suitablyjournaled within lgear casings 76 onA the swiveled frame. These shaftscarry spur pirlions 78 meshing with planet gears 79 journaled on shafts80 supported by carriers 81, the latter in turnbeing secured to coaxialshafts 82 connected to sprockets 83 which engage and drive the treadchains 45; The-planet gears 79'mesh with internal gears 84` secured tothe gear casings 76 so that when the pinions 78 are driven the-planetgears 79 roll aroundv the internal gears 84 as trackways to effectrotation ofthe planet-carriers 81 together with the tread drivesprockets. v Pivotally mounted at 96 on an upstandng frame structure 91carried by the rearward portion of the' main framel 35, as shown inFig.2, tojtilt in vertical planes is an inclined conveyor frame 92 whichcomprises parallel tubular side members or side bars 93 rigidlyconnected in spaced parallel relation by cross ymembers 94. Carried atthe forward, lower portion of thistiltable frame is a gathering andloading head 94 having mounted thereon conventional oscillatorygathering arms 96 movable in out-of-step relation for gathering loosematerial or muck from the tunnel 4floor and for moving the samerearwardlyv and upwardly ,onto an endless belt conveyorl 97 guided fororbital circulation relative to the vtiltable frame 92 by conventionalguide pulleys. Thisfconveyor belt is driven bya motor 98 at its upper`rear discharge end in a well-known mannerl Fluid cylinders` 99arepivotally connected tothe main frame and to the loading head -frarne100 for tiltingtheY frame 92 Vtogether withl the loading head invertical. planes about-the pivot 90 to Secured to these coaxial shaftsare beveled the elevationof the loading head with respect to the tunneloor or ground, and by trapping fluid in `these cylinders the tiltableframe and loading head may be rigidly held in adjusted position.

The gathering arms 96 may be driven by the motor 50 through thelongitudinal shaft 58 (Fig. 9) which is connectible by a conventionalmanually operable jaw clutch 105 to a coaxial shaft 106, the latter inturn being connected by a flexible coupling 107 to a shaft 108 whichextends forwardly and downwardly above the swiveled frame 42. Thislatter shaft is in turn connected by a similar exible coupling 109 to aforwardly extending downwardly inclined shaft 110 which is journaled in,a`

bearing support 110a (Fig. 9) carried by the conveyor `frame 92. Theshaft 110 is connected by a similar exible coupling 111 (Fig. 2) toabevel gearing (not shown) within the head frame 100 toa cross shaft 112which is connected to the gathering arms 96 in a manner `generallysimilar to that disclosed in my copending application Serial No.232,585, tiled June 20, 1951, now matured into Patent No. 2,793,732,dated May 28, 1957. Thus when the jaw clutch 105 is connected, thegathering arms 96 may be driven by the motor 50, and when the jaw clutchis released the gathering arms may remain idle during running of themotor, all in a well-known manner.

The driving motor 98 for the conveyor belt 97 is mounted on anadjustable frame `115 and is connected through a conventional speedreducer 116 to a transverse drive pulley 117 about which the conveyorbelt passes and by which the belt is driven. Adjustingscrews 118 coaxialwith the side bars and connected between the latter and the frame 115may be turned to adjust the frame115 slightly angularly relative to theside bars to vary the location of the pulley axis thereby properly toalign the pulley with the belt. Suitable clamps 119 may be tightened tosecure the frame 115 firmly in adjusted position. The front head frame160 is mounted by side brackets 120 on the forward ends of the side bars93 and jack screws 121 coaxial with the side bars and connected betweenthe latter and the head frame 100 (Fig. l2) may be turned to adjust thehead frame longitudinally along the side bars to vary the tension of theconveyor belt.

Now referring to Figs. l to 19 inclusive, it Will be verse front idlerpulley 123 which is suitably formed with opposite spirals, in a wellknown manner, for selfcleaning purr-poses. This front pulley isjournaled on a frame section 124 which is adjustably mounted within Varectangular recess 125 formed within the upper portion of the head frame100 and this frame section has pairs of adjusting screws 126 at itsopposite sides (Figs. l5 and 18) Vwhich are adjustable to move the framesection 124 laterally in the recess so as to align the front pulley withrespect to the belt. Vertical screws 127 at each side of the framesection 124 pass through longitudinal slots 12S in the head frame andthese screws .when tightened clamp the frame section 124 tirmly inadjusted position. A toothed deflector or socalled grizzly 129 has latransverse row of vertical teeth 130 and is carried by the head framewith its teeth lying in adjacency to the pulley at the front sidethereof for preventing large masses of material from moving down infront of the pulley while permitting any loose material to pass `downbetween the deflector teeth. The adjustable frame section 124 liesloosely between the vertical sides y131 of the head frame 100 whichprovide the outer sidewalls of the recess (Fig. 16) and the slots 128are formed in narrow plates 132 of the head frame, these `platesextending outwardly from the outer sides of the adjustable framesection. The frame section 124- carries cooperate with the upper run ofthe conveyor belt and lserve to trough the belt as it passes rearwardlyfrom '45 noted that the conveyor belt 97 passes around a transthe top ofthe front idler pulley 123. The rolls 133 and 134 for the conveyor beltprovide adequate support for the belt at the points where the beltreceives the loose rock or muck discharged` rearwardly by the gathering`arms 96. Secured to the head frame and extending longitudinally alongthe sides of the chamber in positions to overlie the outer edges of theconveyor belt are upper plates 135 which are detachably secured to thehead frame by bolts 136, and a front cross plate 137 secured to the headframe overlies the front pulley 123 land the deliector 129 as shown inFig. '17. Extending longitudinally within the head frame `at the sidesof the recess 125 are chambers 138 which may receive loose materialdischarged from the sides of the conveyor belt and rolls and thesechambers open outwardly at 139 to permit discharge of such loosematerial downwardly from these chambers thereby to prevent clogging.

The loading machine 1 is adapted to travel ailong the rails of the maintunnel trackway 9` during transport of the apparatus from place toplace, and at that time the apparatus may be propelled by a conventionallocomotive. The rear steering wheels 36 and the front crawler devices 37may be run up onto the trackw-ay and trackengaging wheels are associatedtherewith -to guide and partially support the machine during itsmovement along the trackway. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, pivotallymounted at 142 on horizontal transverse axes at the sides of theswiveled steering-wheel-fraine 39 to swing in vertical planes are'levers 143 which carry small flanged track-engaging wheels 144 at theirlower remote ends. Toggle links 14S are pivotally connected at 146 tothe upper adjacent ends of these levers and these links are pivotallyconnected together at 147. Releasable latches 14S on the front and rearsides of the frame 39 are engageable at 149 with the levers 143 forholding the track-engaging wheels in :raised inoperative position, asshown in full lines in Fig. 5. When the l-atchestare released the wheels144 may drop down into engagement with the track rails as shown indotted lines in Fig. 5 and the toggle links 145 assume the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 with the pivot 147 below a horizontalplane including the pivots 146 thereby to rigidly lock the levers inylowered position as shown. VHandles 147a arranged at the link pivots147 are provided. for lifting the links to release the locks thereby topermit raisingV of the wheel levers. These wheels 144 serve to guide thewheels 36 on the trackway with the wheels 36 rigidly locked in centralposition by uid trapped in the cylinders 40.

The front crawler devices 37 have pivotally mounted at 150 on the sidesof the swiveled frame 42 levers 151 which carry at their lower remoteends small flanged track-engaging wheels 152 similar to the wheels 144above described, and fluid lcylinders 153i are pivotally connected at153a to the frame 42 and at 153b `to the levers Y151 and these cylindersare operative to swing the levers in vertical planes about their pivots.When the crawler devices 37- are straddling the track rails, thecylinders 153 may be operated to swing the levers downwardly about theirpivots to bring the wheels 152 into Vcontact with the track rails andupon further swinging `36 support the rear end of the machine on thetrackway and the wheels` 144 serve only as guides for preventing lateraldisplacement of the wheels 36 from the track rails. Fluid trapped in thecylinders 153 maintain the crawler devices in elevated position abovethe trackway with the wheels 152 in engagement with 'the track rails andwhen the wheels 152 are in raised inoperative position yas shown in Fig.5, the uid trapped in the cylinders 153 hold them in such raisedposition.

The draft gear or towing device 2,l as shown in Figs. 2, 2a, 5, 13 and14, comprises a pair offtubular members or rods 155 arranged in side byside parallel rela,- tion and secured together at their rear ends by across frame 156 to which the rear ends of the rods are loosely connectedand this cross frame 156 has a ball and socket pivotal connection at 157with the front truck 18 of the mobile trackway 3. The tubular rods` 155are connected near their forward ends in spaced parallel relation by atransverse equalizer frame 158 which is pivvotally connected at 159 vtolateral lugs integral with the inner sides of the rods (Fig. 13).Telescopically arranged within these tubular rods are parallel rods 16%loosely connected at their front `ends at 161 to a cross frame 162 whichhas a ball and socket pivotal connection at 163 with the rear end of theIframe 35 of the loading machine. A latch 164 pivoted at 165 on theframe 162 is engageable with a cross rod 1616 of the frame 158forsecuring the telescopic rods, which coop- Y' erate to provide thetow-bar 11i, in collapsed position as y shown in Figs. 2, 5, 13, 14 and27. When the latch 164 is released the telescopic rods 155, 160 may beextended to Vpermit movement of the loading7 machine ove-r the oorlongitudinally and laterally over the tunnel floor relative to themobile trackway 3, as shown in Fig. 29. Chain sections 1167 (Fig. 13)extending within and connected to the remote ends of the rods 155, 1169serve to prevent complete separation of the rods.

The extensible intermediate conveyor 5 extends rearwardly and upwardlybetween the rear discharge end of the conveyor of the loading machine 1and the front end of the conveyor mechanism 4 on the mobile trackway 3,

'as shown in Figs. 2, 2a and 29, and when the tow-bar is 1 the pivots174. Guided on the forward portions of these telescopic guiderods forsliding movement therealong are spaced apart frames 177 which carrytransverse guide rollers 177,a and these sliding frames are connected bya conventional pantograph or lazy-tong structure having its links 173pivotally connected together intermediate their ends at 1'79 andpivotally connected at 18@ to the 193 journaled thereon and driventhrough a speed reducer 194 by a motor 195. Extending about the driveand, idler pulleys with its top run passing over the guide rollers in anendless conveyor belt 196. The rear frame 192 and the front brackets189'rnay be adjusted relative to the side rods to align the pulleys 190and 191 with the conveyor belt. The lower run of theV conveyor beltpasses around an idler pulley 197, which is journaled on' brackl ets 198adjustably mounted on the lower telescopic rods 171 to vary the belttension and these brackets may bel secured in acjusted position to therods as by clamps 199'. A usual arrangement of pulleys is provided forthe bot'- tom run of the conveyor belt so that the belt may beauto'-matically payed out when the conveyor is extended and the slackautomatically taken up when the conveyor is collapsed, all in awell-known manner, and such arrangement includes a usual movable pulleyguided for move'- ment with the extensible conveyor frame.

The rearward portion of the extensible conveyor has its side frames 175mounted on rollers 200 (Fig. 6) for limited lateral adjustment along atransverse bar 201y carried by an upstanding frame 2112 in turntelescopically engaging a lower frame 203 pivotally mounted at 204 totilt in longitudinalv vertical planes about a transverse axis relativeto the rearjframe 156 of the tow bar 10. The rollers 2110 engage thetopand sides of the cross bar 201, in the manner shown. A clamp 2195 servesto secure the upper frame 202 in adjusted position relative to the lowerframe 2113. The lower frame has pivoted links or straps 206 pivotallyconnected at 207 to brackets 208 adjustably mounted on the tow barmembers 155 (Fig. 2a) and held in adjusted position as`by clampsy 269.Thus, the rear end of the intermediate conveyor 5 may be adjustedlaterally so as to discharge onto the conveyor mechanism 4 irrespectiveofthe lateral position of the loading machine relative to the mobiletrackway.

. The extensible intermediate conveyor 5 is'mounted on the extensibletow bar 10 (Figs. 2 and 2a) andthe pivotal connections 157 and 163 atthe oppositeends Vof the ex,- tensible conveyor provide for' swingingmovement of the latter in horizontal and Vertical planes with the towbar relative to the mobile trackway and the loading machine.

The conveyor sections 29 of the conveyor mechanism i are similar inconstruction to the conveyors above described and to each other and eachcomprises parallel tubular side members or rods 21@ secured in spacedapart relation by transverse frames 211 and clamped on these tops of theslidable frames 177, and pivotally connected together at 1S1at theirlower ends. The end links are pivotally connected to the relativelyslidable parts of the' telescopic frame, and these links 178 are soarranged and constructed that they maintain the guide rollers in equallyspaced apart relation` irrespective of the collapsed or extendedpositions of the guide frames. The frames, as shownin Fig. 3, haverollers 182 running along the lower guide rods and are formed withupwardly extending guides 133 for receiving guiding elements 184 at thelower pivoted ends of the links, and these guiding elements and guidesserve to maintain the guide frames perpendicular to the longitudinalaxes of the rods. When the guide f frames 17'7 are collapsed, as shownin Fig. 2, their upper portions abut one another. In Fig. 29, the guideframes are shown extended, with the guiding elements 134 disjournaled onthe front frame 213 is a transverse idler pulley 220. The endlessconveyor belt 31B travels around these pulleys 217 and 220 with its toprun passing over the guide rollers. The clamps 215 and 216 may beloosened to permit adjustment of the frames 213 andl 214 relative to theside rods thereby to align the pulleys with the. conveyor belt and tovary the belt tension, in a manner similar to the conveyors abovedescribed. The rear portions fo the side rods 210 are vrigidly secureda's by clamps 222 at the upper parts of the rear C-frames 26 at pointsspaced equidistantly from and at opposite sides of the longitudinalcenters of the sections of the mobile trackway, while the forwardportions of the side rods'have their brackets 211 pivotally supported onupright axes at 223 on the upper parts of the front C-frames 26, asshown in Fig. 24. i v

y By rigidly securing the rearward end portions of the fra-mes of theconveyor sections 29 to the rear C-frames 2.6 at points equally spacedat opposite sides of the center and centrally pivotally mounting theforward portions of i reducing the possibility of the conveyor `framestwisting or bending as the mobile trackway travels over an uneven maintunnel trackway.

Now referring to the detail structure of the battery of drills 6, itwill be noted that parallel tubular guide members or bars 225 extendforwardly and downwardly above the loading machine and these bars aresecured at their rear ends to the upper portions `of vertical sideframes 226 (Figs. 2 and 20) mounted on the main frame 35 of the loadingmachine. These guide bars at their forward portions are carried bybrackets 227 adjustably secured as by clamps 228 to a transversehorizontal supporting bar 229 carriedby and secured at its ends to thesides of the upper pontion of the head frame 100, as shown in Figures land 2. Mounted for movement 1ongitudinally along these guide bars 225 isa transverse carriage frame 230 having longitudinally spaced upper guiderollers 231 engaging the upper sides of the guide bars and rearguiderollers 232 engaging the under sides of the guide bars at pointsspaced rearwardly of the rear upper rollers, in the manner shown in Fig.23. Mounted on this carriage frame are three relatively adjustable boomframes 233, 234 and 235 similar -to 4those disclosed in the copendingCurtis and Fish application, Serial No. 216,612, tiled March 20, 1951,owned by the assignee of the present invention and nowmatured intoPatent No. 2,791,399, dated May 7, 1957. These boom frames extendforwardly over 'the loading head and have swivelly mounted thereon attheir outer extremities supports 236 on which lateral arms 237 areswiveled at 238. Secured to these arms are elongated guide frames 239along which are guided conventional pneumatic rock drills 240 of thepercussive type for actuating drill steels 241 which carry usual rockdrill bits 242. Each boom frame has fluid ycylinders 243 and 244respectively for swinging the -boorn frame in vertical and horizontalplanes relative to the loading machine to vary the operating positionsof the rock drills with respect to the tunnel face. Pneumatic feedingmotors 245 on the guide frames 239 serve to feed the rock drills -backand forth along their guideways, in a well-known manner.

The carriage frame 230 may be retracted upwardly alongthe inclined guidebars 225 by cable drums 246 (Fig. 20) journaled on a `horizontal crossshafting 247 and'cables 248 wound on these drums extend upwardly aroundguide sheaves 249 journaled on aligned transverse horizontal `shafts 250respectively secured to the guide bars 225 at the tops ofthe verticalside frames 226. These cables extend forwardly and downwardly from thesesheaves into connection at 251 (Figs. l and 2) with the carriage frame.The drums may be manually rotated by 4a hand crank 252 attachable toeither end of a transverse shafting 253 likewise journaled on thevertical side frames 226, and gears 254 on the shafting 253 mesh withgears 255 secured to the drums. For locking the drill carriage inretracted position, pawls 257 (Figs. 2,() and 22) are secured to ahorizontal shafting 258 arranged parallel with and above the shafting253 and likewise journaled on the vertical side frames 226, and thesepawls engage the teeth of the gears 254-to hold the drums againstrotation in unwinding direction. The pawls are yieldingly urged towardgear engaging position by coil tension springs 259 (Fig. 2l) connectedto levers 260 secured to the shafting 253, and cams 261 operated by hand`levers 262 engage the levers 260 to move the pawls out of en gagementwith the gears against the action of 1 these springs, and the cams holdthe pawls in released position.

When the drill carriage frame 230 is in its forward lowered position onthe inclined guide bars 225, 4as shown in Figure 25, with the rockdrills 240 `in operating position in adjacency to the ytunnel face,clamp arms 264 pivoted on transverse axes at 265 on the carriage frameare swingable downwardly and rearwardly over `the projecting front,endsV of the guide bars, as shown in Figures 23 and 2'6, and clampingplates 266 suitably guided within the clamp arms are adjustable manually-by 'screws 267 into clamping relation with the guide bars to hold ythecarriage frame iirmly in lowered adjusted position. These clamp arms 264may be swung up out of the way, as shown in Figure 23, during retractionof the drill carriage.` The clamp arms are ldesirably pivoted onhorizontal shafts 268 (Fig. 26) on which the upper front guide rollers231 are, journaled to swing about axes coincident with the axes of thefront guide rollers.

Carried bythe carriage frame 230 is a conventional pneumatic motor 270(Fig. l) for driving a fluid pump 271` for pumping lluid such as oilunder pressure from a tank 272 on the carriage frame to the lluidcylinders 243 and 244 for adjusting the drill boom frames. A suitableconventional control valve mechanism (not shown) may be provided yforcontrolling ythe ow of fluid under pressure from the pump discharge tothe boom yadjusting cylinders and a similar control valve mechanism 273carried by the head frame `10i) may be provided for controlling the flowof Huid into pressure from the pump 54 to they several fluid cylinders40, 46, 99 and 153 of the loading;

,machine Fluid under pressure such as compressed air may be supplied tothe rock drills 240 and the motor 270" from any suitable source. L

The general mode `of operation of the improved tunneling apparatus willbe clearly apparent from the descrip-- tion given. The apparatus may betrammed about the tunnel as a unit along the main tunnel trackway 9 bymeans of the mine locomotive, and when the working face is reached, theloading machine 1 may have its guidingvand supporting wheels 144 and 152retracted to bring the crawler devices 37 down onto the tunnel oor andthe loading machine may be moved in any suitable manner forwardly fromthe main trackway onto the tunnel floor. When the telescopic tow-bar 10is locked in collapsed position, as shown in Figure 27, the loadingmachine, as it travels over the tunnel licor underthe propulsion of thecrawler devices 37, may move the mobile trackway bodily therewith alongthe main tunnel trackway, and the loading machine may be turnedlaterally under the control of the steering cylinders 40 'and 46relative to the mobile trackway 3 and, at that time, 4the tow` bar mayswing laterally about its pivotal connection the mobile trackway topermit such lateral turning movement of the loading machine. When thetow-bar latch 164 is released, the tow-bar may be extended to permitforward longitudinal and lateral -turning movement of the loadingmachine relative to Ithe mobile trackway, as shown in Figure 29. Theloading machine may travel `over thetunnel iloor under the propulsion ofthe crawler treads 37 driven by the motor 50 and may be steered by both`the rear steering wheels 36 and the crawler treads so' that the machinemay be sharply turned during maneuvering thereof with respect to themucltj pile and during the loading operation. i

When the loading machine is properly positioned near the tunnel face,the battery of rock drills 240 may be lowered along the inclined guidebars 225 and the drill boom frames 233, 234 and 235 may be adjusted, asshown in Figure 25, to locate the drills in the desired operatingpositions with respect to the tunnel face. The rock drills may beoperated and fed forwardly along the guide frames 239 to eiect drillingof the blast holes at proper locations in the tunnel face, and whendrilling has been completed the battery of drills may be retracted onthe machine by the cable and drum mechanism, and the machine may beretracted to a position remote from the face, as shown in Figure 27.Explosive charges may be placed in the drilled holes and the chargestired to shoot down the rock at the face. The train of empty haulage ormine cars 8 may be moved as by a locomotive along the main tunneltrackway and up along the ramp 7 onto the mobile trackway, as showninFigure 28, s o that when loading of the loose rock yor muck onthetunnel oor is being eifected, the cars are' in position,4

as .shown in Figure 27, beneath the conveyor mechansrrl 4 to receive themuck. The loading machine may be advanced toward the face and theoscillating gathering" arms 96 may be driven toV effect gathering of themuck from the floor and moving ofthe same upwardly and rearwardly" ontothe belt conveyor 97 ofthe machine.l V,The conveyor 97 elevates the muckthereon and discharges the same onto the conveyor belt 196 of theextensible intermediate conveyor 5 and the latter in turn discharges themuck onto the conveyor belt 3d ofthe `front conveyor section 29 oftheconveyor mechanism 4, 'and the conveyor belts of the several conveyorsections 29 may move the muck progressively therealong the entire lengthof the conveyor mechanism 4 to discharge onto the waiting cars of thetrain until the complete i'ound is loaded out, as Vshown in Fig. 29. Asthe cars'are loaded the train may be moved from the mobile trackway downalong the ramp 7 back onto the main tunnel trackway, until 4the cars areprogressively com- 'pletely'v loaded. The extensible intermediateconveyor 5 automatically extends and shortens as the loading madiateframe sections pivotally mounted on said trucks and extendinglongitudinally therebetween, 'a ramp extending between an end truck atone end of said mobile trackway and the main trackway whereby a train ofhaulage cars may travel from the main trackway into said mobile trackwayand vice versa, said elongated intermediate frame sections each carryingupstanding supports, and conveyor mechanism carried by said Inobiletrackway comprising conveyor sections carried by Y said opstandingsupports for conveying material to the chine rnoves forwardly andrearwardly relative to the y mobilev trackway so that a continuous flowof muck may sible conveyor intermediateV loading machine and the pconveyor mechanism of the mobile trackway,` the apparatus may be readilymoved from place to place about the tunnel and the muck at the tunnelface quickly loaded out. The novel arrangement of the battery of drillsand the novel 'adjustable mountings therefor on the loading machinesprovide for quick positioning of the drills at the face and readyretraction of the drills from the face into out-of-the-way positionswhen drilling is completed. The apparatus,tdue to its flexibility ofconstruction, may readily negotiate a tunnel trackway which is unevenand sharply curved, is tlexible in voperation, and relatively simple,and rugged in design, well adapted for its intended purpose.

While there is'in this application specifically described one form whichthe invention may assume in practice, it

Awill be understoodl that this form of the same is shown ticulatedVmobile trackway unit adapted totravel over a main trackway laid on thefloor, said mobile trackway unit comprising a series of relatively shorttrucks hav-` ing track engaging members engagingthe rails forfmovementalong the main trackway, elongated intermediate frame sections pivotallymounted on said trucks with one frame" section extending longitudinallybetween a.

pairof trucks and whollysupported by the latter, said trucks'andsaidfintermediate frame sections having track rails disposable inregistry and which` cooperate to provide Va substantially continuoustrackway of said "mobile trackway unit just above said main trackwaylthroughout thet length of the 'apparatus and wholly supported formobility therewith wholly independently of the main trackway, and a rampextending between an end truck at one end 'of said mobile track unit andthe main trackway'lunit whereby atrain of haulage cars may travel carsof the trains on said mobile trackway, said conveyor sections havingoverlapping ends disposed above central points on said trucks wherebysaid conveyor sections` may move laterally as said mobile trackway movesalongV a main trackway which is curved to avoid substantial spillage ofmaterial at the overlapping ends of said conveyor sections. l

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein conveyor mechanism iscarried by said. mobile trackway comprising conveyor sections carried bysaid intermediate frame sections forconveying material to the cars ofthe train on said mobile trackway, and supporting means kfor a conveyorcarried by the end truck at the opposite end of said `mobile trackway,said conveyor discharging its material onto said conveyorrnechansm,

4. In a mobile tunneling apparatus, an elongated articulated mobiletrackway unit adaptedto travel over y a main trackway laid on the oor,said mobile trackwayy comprising a series of wheeled trucks` havingrelatively short wheel bases and running on the main trackway andelongated intermediate frame sections pivotally mounted on said truckswith a frame section extending longitudinally between eachpair of trucksand wholly supported by the latter, both said wheeled trucksV and saidintermediate frame sections providing substantially continuous paralleltrackways of thesarne `gauge las said main trackway throughout thelength of said mobile trackway unitand wholly supported for mobilitytherewith wholly independently of the main trackway 'and with theparallel ytrackway sections on said trucks'fin registry with thetrackway `sections on said intermediate frame sections whereby a trainof haulage carsmay travel from the main trackway along the trackways ofsaid trucks and said frame sections onto said mobile trackway and viceversa while the mobility of the apparatus is maintained. i

5. In a tunneling apparatus, a mobile trackway adapted to travel over amain trackway laid on" the floor, said-mobile trackway comprising aseries ofk wheeled trucks having relatively short wheel bases andrunning on the main trackway and elongated intermediate frame sectionspivotally mounted on said trucks and extending longitudinallytherebetween, both said wheeled trucks and said intermediate framesectionsproviding trackways of the same gauge as said main trackway.with

the trackways of said trucks in registry with the track- Ways of saidintermediate frame sections whereby a.

train of haulage cars may travel from the main track;

way along the trackways of said trucks and said frame' sections ontosaid mobile trackway and vice versa, and a conveyor mechanism carried bysaid elongated intermediate frame sections and comprising conveyor secftions carried by said intermediate sections respectively for conveyingthe material to the cars of thetrain `on said mobile trackway, saidconveyor sections having overlapping ends overlying the center points ofsaid 6. A tunneling apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongatedarticulated mobile trackway unit adapted to travel along a main trackwaylaid on the oor, said mobile trackway unit comprising a series ofwheeled trucks vhaving relatively short wheel bases and running on themain trackway and elongated intermediate frame sections pivotallymounted on said trucks to-swing horizontally relative thereto with aframe section extending longitudinally between each pair of trucks andwholly supported by the latter, a conveyor mechanism carried by saidmobile trackway and extending along the length thereof, a loadingmachine adapted to travel over the loor in advance of the main trackway,a conveyor for receiving the material from said loading machine and fordischarging the same onto said conveyor mechanism, a pivoted and axiallyextensible drawbar connection between the adjacent end wheeled truck ofsaid mobile trackway and said loading machine whereby said loadingmachine may move bodily longitudinally and turn laterally relative tosaid mobile trackway, and a support between the adjacent end of saidconveyor and said adjacent end wheeled truck.

7. A mobile tunneling apparatus comprising, in combination, an elongatedarticulated mobile trackway unit adapted tortravel along a main trackwaylaid on the iloor, said mobile trackway unit comprising a series ofwheeled trucks havingrelatively short Wheel bases and running on themain trackway and elongated intermediate frame sections pivotallymounted on said trucks with a frame section extending longitudinallybetween each pair of trucks and wholly supported by the latter, aconveyor mechanism carried by said mobile trackway unit and extendingalong the length thereof, a loading machine adapted to travel over theioor in advance of the main trackway, a pivoted and axially extensibledrawbar connection between the adjacent end wheeled truck of said mobiletrackway unit and said loading machine whereby said loading machine maymove bodily longitudinally and turn laterally relative to said mobiletrackway unit, conveying means on said loading machine, and anextensible conveyor extending between said conveying means on saidloading machine and said conveyor mechanism carried by said mobiletrackway unit, said extensible conveyor having pivotal connection at itsends to both said loading machine and the adjacent end of said traclewayunit beneath said conveyor mechanism on said mobile trackway unit, saidextensible conveyor variable in length between its pivoted ends toconvey material between said conveying means on said loading machine andsaid conveyor mechanism on said mobile trackway unit in all positions ofsaid loading machine bodily relative to said mobile trackway unit.

8. In an apparatus of the character disclosed, a mobile trackway adaptedto travel over a main trackway laid on the oor, said mobile trackwaycomprising a series of wheeled trucks having relatively short wheelbases and running on the main trackway, elongated ntermediate framesections pivotally mounted on said trucks and extending longitudinallytherebetween, a ramp at one end of said mobile trackway whereby a trainof haulage cars may travel from the main trackway onto said mobiletraekway and vice versa, said elongated intermediate frame sectionshaving support- :ing means, and conveyor mechanism carried by saidmobile trackway comprising conveyor sections carried by said supportingmeans for conveying material to the cars of the train of said mobiletrackway, said conveyor sections having overlapping ends disposed abovecentral points on said trucks whereby said conveyor sections veyorsections.

9. A tunneling apparatus comprising, in combination, an articulatedmobile trackway adapted to travel along a main trackway laid on the oor,said mobile trackway comprising a series of wheeled trucks havingrelatively short wheel bases and running on the main trackway andelongated intermediate frame sections pivotally mounted on said trucksto swing horizontally relative thereto and extending longitudinallytherebetween, a conveyor mechanism carried by said mobile trackway andextending along the length thereof, a loading machine adapted to travelover the oor in advance of the main trackway, a pivoted and axiallyextensible drawbar connection between the adjacent end wheeled truck ofsaid mobile trackway and said loading machine whereby said loadingmachine may move bodily longitudinally and turn laterally relative tosaid mobile trackway, and a support between the adjacent end of saidconveyor mechanism and said adjacent end wheeled truck, said supportincluding an upper pivoted element to which said drawbar connection ispivotally connected.

l0. In an apparatusof the character disclosed, a mobile trackwayadaptedto travel over a main trackway laid on `the floor, said mobiletrackway having track rails spaced at the same gauge as the rails ofsaid main trackway and disposed directly above the rails of the maintrackway, said mobile trackway comprising a series of wheeled truckshaving relatively short wheel bases and running on the main trackway,elongated intermediate frame sections pivotally mounted on said trucks`and extending longitudinally therebetween, a ramp extending between anend truck at one end. of said mobile trackway and the main trackwaywhereby a train of haulage cars may travel fromV the main trackway ontosaid mobile trackway and vice versa, and conveyor mechanism carried bysaid mobile trackway comprising conveyor means carried by saidintermediate frame sections, said conveyor means being so arranged andconstructed and,` so disposed with respect to central points on saidtrucks that said conveyor means may move laterally as said mobiletrackway moves along a main trackway which is curved to avoidsubstantial spillage of material at the central points on said trucks.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,280,142 Bonner Oct. 1, 1918 1,578,024 Greenleaf Mar. 23, 19251,581,435 Flowers Apr. 20, 1926 1,677,430 Collins July 17, 19281,785,594 Paisley Dec. 16, 1930 1,875,783 Vodoz Sept. 6, 1932 2,395,716Biedess Feb. 26, 1946 2,497,234- Mylie Feb. 14, 1950 2,500,932 CurtisMar. 21, 1950 2,592,532 Beck Apr. l5, 1952 2,599,061 Lee June 3, 19522,709,969 Andert June 7, 1955 2,796,969 Russell June 25, 1957 2,796,999Russell June 25, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 285,971 Italy May 28, 1931 390,901Great Britain Apr. 20, 1933 431,059 Germany June 28, 1926 589,140 1933Germany Dec. 2,

